Wednesday News, July 17

Supervisors Revise Policy Regarding Harvesting Of Roadside Grass

(Le Mars) -- Plymouth County Supervisors revised the county's policy of harvesting roadside ditches for hay purposes during their weekly meeting on Tuesday. The issue came before the governing board when controversies arose as to who is entitled to the grass for hay. The supervisors reviewed the suggestions as submitted by Steph Jurgens. Some of the adopted provisions include: grass may be cut from July 15 to October 1st. All adjoining landowners need to sign off on the permit issued by the county, for grass to be harvested. A permit is valid for one year. Hay bales need to be removed from the roadside right of way within 48 hours after being baled. All liability while cutting is the sole responsibility of the person cutting the grass. The county is not responsible for any injuries or accidents that occur while harvesting the grass. Furthermore, the county is not liable for any damage to the equipment being used to harvest the grass. The supervisors also adopted the policy saying if a person cuts or bales any grass or hay that someone else has a permit or ownership, the hay or bales becomes the property of the party with the permit.

Supervisors Discuss Closing Some Railroad Crossings

(Le Mars) -- Railroad crossings was also discussed during the weekly meeting of the county Board of Supervisors. County engineer Tom Rohe presented a proposal calling for the closure of some railroad crossings. Rohe says the request is by the railroad company. Lights and a gate is being proposed for the railroad crossing located on Marble Avenue near 160th street. In exhange, the C&N railroad would like to see perhaps other rail crossings be closed. The Supervisors reviewed five possible places that were under consideration for closing the rail crossings. The supervisors agreed to look at those crossings that would be on roads with the least amount of traffic and which have bridges that are older. The railroad in question runs east to west and is pararell to Deep Creek.

City Council Approves Water Tower and Water Booster Station

(Le Mars) -- The Le Mars City Council was able to conduct its business within fifteen minutes during Tuesday's meeting. The council had only two action items on the agenda. The council approved the new water tower and the water booster station.

More People Infected With Cyclosporiasis

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The number of people reporting a food-borne intestinal illness believed to have come from a contaminated vegetable is now at 134 in Iowa and Nebraska as newcases continue to surface. Iowa has reported 81 cases of cyclosporiasis (sy-kloh-spor-EYE'-uh-sis) spread across 25 counties. The Iowa Department of Public Health says at least five people have been hospitalized. Linn County in eastern Iowa continues to lead the state with 31 cases. Polk County and Pottawattamie County each have five. Nebraska has reported 53 cases mostly in the eastern part of the state. Three people were hospitalized but released. Public health officials from both states say the illness, which causes prolonged diarrhea, is rare. It comes from eating food or drinking water contaminated with feces containing the cyclospora parasite.

Branstad To Sign Education Bill, - Again

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Gov. Terry Branstad is going to sign an education policy bill for the second time. Branstad has scheduled a "re-enactment" of the original bill signing for Thursday. Spokesman Tim Albrecht says the event is being held at the request of an organization that advocates for families that homeschool their children. The education legislation approved by the Legislature in May will provide more basic school funding for the next two academic years, as well as offer money to districts that adopt a program to raise minimum teacher pay and offer leadership incentives. The legislation also lifts some restrictions on homeschooling in Iowa. Albrecht says the governor will sometimes re-enact a bill signing at the request of individuals or groups.

Sioux County Law Enforcement To Crack Down On Drivers

(Orange City) -- The Sioux County Sheriff's Office, Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement and the Iowa State Patrol are joining forces for a third year of traffic enforcement events in Sioux County. Joint saturation projects from 2010 and 2011 had a positive impact on driving behavior, but statistics show continued effort is still needed. Sioux County ranks 41st among all Iowa counties for fatality crashes, according to information provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Three years ago, Sioux County ranked 16th. In 2012, Sioux County had 378 crashes. Of that total, 166 injuries were reported and three were fatal. As of this today's date, Sioux county has had one fatal crash.

Iowa State Patrol Troopers Involved In Two Accidents

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Authorities say an Iowa state trooper's cruiser collided with another vehicle as the trooper headed to the scene of an accident involving a fellow trooper. The Iowa State Patrol says the first accident occurred about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday on an Interstate 80 median near Iowa City. Trooper Cody Kammeyer was using a radar device when another vehiclestruck his cruiser. Kammeyer was treated at a nearby hospital and released. The driver of the vehicle that struck the cruiser was charged with drunken and reckless driving. In the other accident, the patrol says Trooper Paul Nowak's cruiser was struck in Cedar Rapids by another vehicle even though the cruiser's emergency lights and siren were being used. Neither driver was injured and no citations were issued.

3200 Vehicles Get Pass For Speeding, Red Light Cameras

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - State data shows that more than 3,200 license plates have been issued to local, state and federal agencies with a designation that allows them to avoid tickets from Iowa traffic cameras. A recent speeding incident involving Gov. Terry Branstad's state SUV has revealed how cities give a break to some government vehicles caught on red light and speed cameras. Several cities said they do not issue tickets to drivers whose plates are not included in police databases because they're conducting undercover or sensitive work. Iowa Department of Transportation data requested by The Associated Press shows that 350 agencies have been issued at least one license plate with that designation, ranging from small policedepartments to the Transportation Security Administration. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources leads the way with 210.

Authorities Introduce Arson Detecting Dog

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Iowa authorities are introducing a K-9 trained to be an accelerant detection dog for arson cases. The state Department of Public Safety says Pogo will meet the public Wednesday morning in Des Moines. Pogo and his handler, Special Agent Jeff Shatzer, are scheduled to offer a demonstration on accelerant detection. The State Fire Marshal will also discuss the state's future plans for its K-9program. The State Fire Marshal was awarded the dog as part of a national program offered by State Farm Insurance. Officials say arson cost the state $35 million dollars in property damage in 2012.

Family of Accused Murderer Issues Statement

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) - The family of a man charged in the 1994 killing of a 20-month-old boy has issued a statement expressing sympathy with the child's family and asking the media to respectits privacy. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/1bGNg7g ) the family of 37-year-old Michael Jason Cisneros issued the statement Tuesday. Cisneros was charged with first-degree murder in the death of John Joseph Snyder Jr. Cisneros' family expresses "our deepest and sincere sympathies" to Snyder's family. The family says it's in shock about the arrest and asks reporters to not contact them. They ask that people allow "the justice system to run its course and render its judgment." Cisneros is being held at the Cerro Gordo County Jail under $500,000 bond. ---

Man Charged For Stealing Cattle

MARTELLE, Iowa (AP) - Authorities say a 42-year-old man has been charged with stealing cattle in eastern Iowa. Jones County Sheriff Greg Graver says in a news release that Barry Bieber, of rural Wyoming, is charged with felony theft. Graver says the theft occurred over a three-day period from a farm about four miles east of Martelle and was reported Sunday. The 18 animals were recovered from a sale barn near Cascade. Theirvalue was estimated at nearly $30,500. It's unclear whether Bieber has an attorney. A phone listing for him couldn't be found.

Newton Man Arrested For Fatally Injuring Teen In Accident

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) - Police have arrested a man suspected of fatally injuring a Newton teenager in a traffic accident. The Des Moines Register says (http://dmreg.co/15Mkhw2 ) Daniel Edwards was arrested Tuesday. The Newton Police Department says the 41-year-old Edwards is charged with homicide by vehicle, driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The accident occurred at about 9 p.m. on April 21 in Newton. Police say 14-year-old Brendan O'Brien, 14, was on foot in a roadway when he was hit by a vehicle. He died in a Des Moineshospital on April 23. It's unclear whether Edwards has an attorney. Jasper County Jail records said he remained in custody Wednesday. ---